Of all the automakers trying to outmousetrap BMW's 3-series, we think Infiniti comes closest with its G35, a family of cars related to the Nissan 350Z that now includes a rear-drive coupe and a sedan with rear- or four-wheel drive. A big 3.5-liter V-6 makes 260 horsepower in the sedan and 280 in the coupe, and a proper six-speed manual is available in either body style.

The engine resides mostly aft of the front axle, so the weight distribution with a driver onboard approaches a perfect 50/50 front to rear. Add in a sophisticated multilink suspension front and rear, and meaty 17- or 18-inch tires, and you have the ingredients for an adroit, agile car. And indeed, the proof of the G35 pudding is in the way it eats up twisty roads, responding crisply and predictably to its communicative helm. The ride quality even approaches that of the benchmark Bimmer.

Infiniti trumps BMW in the sedan's interior and trunk space, and both G35s undercut their similarly performing BMW 330 competitors by $4000 to $5000—call that the prestige discount. Wrap all these accolades in striking, boldly original styling, and the G35 pushes all the right buttons to renew its 10Best membership.